Notables
-Saints extend their winning streak to 10 games
-Program-record seventh-straight road win
-Career-high 18 points for Thompson
-CSS had 34 points in the paint.
-Both teams made 16 3-point field goals
ST. PAUL, Minn. (
csssaints.com) -- The St. Scholastica men's basketball team defeated the University of Northwestern (Minn.) by a score of 87-77 on Saturday to improve to 11-3 in conference play and remain tied for first in the conference standings.
First Half
The scoring was back and forth for most of the first half, with the lead changing seven times. But with just over seven minutes remaining in the half, a 3-pointer for the Saints by
Jarod Wilken (Annandale, Minn./Annandale HS) tied the game at 25 points. CSS was then able to take the lead through a 3-pointer by
Collin Anderson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS). By the end of the half, CSS had increased its lead to 39-34.
Second Half
The Saints were able to maintain their momentum from the end of the first half to increase their lead to eight two minutes into the second half. Minutes later CSS went on an eight-point run to increase its lead to 18, its highest of the game, thanks to three 3-pointers combined by
Nate Weets (Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet HS) and
Sam Thompson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS).
With just over a minute remaining in the game, the Eagles (11-12, 9-5 UMAC) had cut the Saints' lead to just six points, but CSS responded with five straight points by
Zach Dahlman (Braham, Minn./Braham HS) and two free throws by
Joe Stark (Hayward, Wis./Hayward HS) to finish the game at 87-77 in favor of the Saints.
Top Performers for the Saints
Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) led the Saints in both scoring and assists, with 19 points and six assists. Thompson had a career-high 18 points, including 12 in the second half on 4-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc, and also led the team with seven rebounds. Anderson added 14 points off the bench and Wilken was the fourth Saint to reach double figures with 12 points.
Top Performers for the Opponent
Tanner Youngberg led the Eagles in scoring with 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Up Next
The Saints (16-7, 11-3 UMAC) host Northland College at Reif Gymnasium on Wednesday for their final home game of the regular season. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
